Integrated Coastal Engineering Modeling

Abstract

<p>An Integrated Coastal Engineering model (ICEM) has been developed, which models the waves, the coastal circulation and the rates of bed level changes simultaneously. The wave model simulates the combined effect of refraction, diffraction, shoaling, reflection and breaking and the circulation model simulates the wave driven currents in the coastal zone. Finally, the morphological model simulates the sediment transport loads and the morphological changes after solving the combined wave current boundary layer. The waves, currents and sediment transport loads are recalculated for every so-called morphological time step. The ICEM is capable of modeling both the short and long term effects of coastal structures such as groins, detached breakwaters, seawalls, etc. The ICEM is calibrated and verified using field data in the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. The model is applied to similar areas in Crete, where the wave climate and bathymetric data are available. The best protection scheme is defined for each area. From the engineering point of view, this research provides an effective design tool for coastal protection projects. It also can provide an assessment on the effectiveness of the existing coastal protection projects.</p>